System and method for partitioning cargo areas

ABSTRACT

An improved bulkhead and partition system in which at least two panels are independently attached to mounting members such that each panel can be moved independently. In a preferred embodiment, two bulkheads or panels are slidably attached to separate pairs of ceiling-mounted rails in a refrigerated trailer such that each bulkhead or panel can be independently slid toward the front of a trailer or toward the rear of a trailer to define, in cooperation with a removable center partition wall, a plurality of different cargo areas to be maintained at different temperatures.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/219,534, filed on Jul. 20, 2000, the completedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to movable partitions and panels,and, more particularly, to partitions and bulkheads which can be used toseparate or insulate cargo during transportation or storage. Theinvention also relates to segregation of cargo into a plurality of areasthat are maintained at different temperatures, commonly known asmulti-temperature transport.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Perishable items such as produce and meat are often transportedin refrigerated trailers, railcars, or ocean-going containers that canbe transported on ships, trains or trucks. Such cargo transport devicesare typically equipped with a refrigeration unit which conditions theair inside the cargo space, thereby maintaining desired temperatures andhumidities during transportation or storage. Refrigerated trailers,railcars and containers are typically configured so as to enclose asingle, large cargo space. Their refrigeration units will accordinglymaintain the entire cargo space at the same temperature and humidityunless the cargo area is somehow divided. However, when the perishablecargo does not fill the entire trailer, cooling the entire cargo area isunnecessary and costly. It causes unnecessary strain and wear on therefrigeration unit, increases fuel consumption, raises transportationcosts, and lengthens the time necessary to cool the perishable cargoafter any temperature aberration.

[0004] Movable partitions and bulkheads having a specializedconstruction which permits the cargo space of trailers, rail cars, andcontainers to be readily divided into sections of varying sizes areknown. Such bulkheads and partitions have been widely used to separatecargo areas for multi-temperature transport. The structure andconfiguration of partition and bulkhead systems differ somewhatdepending on whether they are being deployed in a trailer, railcar, orcontainer. Partitions currently used in refrigerated truck trailerstypically extend from floor to ceiling and are generally comprised ofmodular wall sections. The modular sections are often mounted inchannels or grooves on the trailer floor, held in place by friction, orotherwise mechanically fastened in place so as to compartmentalizetrailers and truck bodies for multi-temperature food distribution. Thepanels are used to divide the trailer or body both longitudinally, alongthe long axis of the trailer, and laterally, across the width of thetrailer. Some partition systems include panels that can be readilyremoved and placed along the sidewall of the trailer when not in use.

[0005] Insulated bulkheads are panels that extend across the width of atrailer to form separate fore and aft cargo areas. Like partitions,insulated bulkheads allow a refrigerated hauler to carry two or moreloads at different temperatures within the same trailer or cargocontainer. For instance, bulkheads may be used to separate fresh foodproducts from frozen or dry goods. Bulkheads are optionally equippedwith walk-through doors similar to those used in partitions to permitingress to and egress from each conditioned cargo area. Due to thefunctional similarities between bulkheads and panels, the latter aresometimes referred to as bulkheads.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention includes an improved partition system inwhich at least two panels are independently attached to one or moremounting assemblies such that each panel can be moved independently. Ina preferred embodiment, two bulkheads or panels are slidably attached toseparate pairs of ceiling-mounted rails in a refrigerated trailer suchthat each bulkhead or panel can be independently slid toward the frontof a trailer or toward the rear of a trailer to define, in cooperationwith a removable center partition wall, a plurality of different cargoareas to be maintained at different temperatures. In another preferredembodiment, two panels in the form of half-width bulkheads arereleasably secured to one another and independently, slidably attachedto ceiling of the trailer such that each half-width bulkhead can beindependently raised and lowered with a minimum of fore and aftclearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer containing centerpartition panels extending along the long axis of the trailer, twohorizontal panels, and a rail and trolley system for moving thehorizontal panel in the axial direction;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a plan view of rail system shown in FIG. 1;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rail system, trolley assemblyslideably attached to the rail system, and a panel hingedly attached tothe rail system;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rail systems, trolleyassembly, and panel after the panel has been raised into a stowedposition by a lift mechanism; and

[0011]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lift mechanism.

[0012] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawingsindicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, the trailer 10 encloses a cargo space. Thecargo space is separated into a plurality of zones or areas 12, 14 thatcan optionally be maintained at different temperatures. Center partitionpanels 16 extend along the long axis of the trailer and separate thetrailer into a left zone 12 and a right zone 14. The partition panels 16can have various interfitting modular constructions, as is known in theart. Lateral panels 18, 20 extend laterally from the center partitions16 to the left and right trailer walls. The right panel 20 is mountedforward of the left panel 18, thereby decreasing the volume of the rightzone 14 relative to the left zone 12. Accordingly, the volume of air inthe right zone 14 that must be temperature controlled is minimized,which in turn maximizes efficiency and reduces strain on the temperaturecontrol system.

[0014] The panels 18, 20 are slidably attached to the rails 22 with atrolley assembly 24. The panels are hingedly attached to trolleyassembly 24, and the trolley assemblies are slidably attached to therails 22, 23. The trolley assemblies permit the panels 18, 20 to bemoved in the fore and aft direction and to be “raised” like garage doorsand secured to the ceiling when not in use, as shown in FIG. 4 anddescribed in more detail below.

[0015] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the panel, trolleyassembly, and rail system can be implemented in a wide variety ofconfigurations. For instance, the rails may be advantageously installedon the side walls of the trailer, thereby enabling the panels 18, 20 toopen like a standard household door. The mounting assembly is preferablya trolley assembly, but may optionally be replaced with any mechanismthat permits rotational, slideable, or hinged movement between the railsand the bulkhead. It is not necessary that the trolley or other mountingassembly permit continuous slidable movement of the bulkhead relative tothe rails. Similarly, the rails may be replaced with other receivingmembers that cooperate with the selected mounting means. It is notnecessary that the receiving means be unitary, continuous, or disposedalong the long axis of the trailer. For instance, the receiving meanscan be a series of individual receptacles disposed along the ceiling ofthe trailer.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rail assembly shown in FIG. 1. In thedepicted embodiment, the receiving members comprise longitudinal rails22, 23 having an internal channel adapted to receive a slidable member,preferably a roller. End rails 26 provide a mount for the ends of thelongitudinal rails 22, 23 and also function as a trolley stop. Fixed tothe end rails 26 are lift mechanisms 28 and safety chains 30, thefunctionality of which is described below. Mounting flanges 31 permitthe rails to be fastened to the trailer walls or ceiling with standardfasteners.

[0017] Here again, various modifications can be readily made withoutdeparting from the invention. For instance, end rails 26 can be replacedwith end caps or can be omitted entirely. The end rails 26 can also beadvantageously replaced with half-width movable rails that span andslidably engage the two longitudinal rails on the left 22 and the twolongitudinal rails on the right 23, respectively. Each moveable rail canbe fitted with lift mechanisms 28 and safety chains 30 such that eachmoveable rail can be slid into position relative to each panel beforeeach is lifted into an inoperative or stowed position. Additionallongitudinal rails 22, 23 can be added to accommodate additional panelsor panels of different widths.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the panels 18, 20, the trolleyassembly 24, and the rails 22, 23. The trolley assembly consists ofhinge plates 36 that are fixedly secured to the panels 18, 20, a hingerod 32, and trolleys 34. The trolleys 34 serve to suspend the panel fromthe rails 22. Trolleys 34 include rollers 35 which permit the bulkheadto be slid into a desired longitudinal position, as shown in FIG. 1. Thehinge mechanism 32, 36 permits the panel to rotate about the hinge rod32, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0019] The panel is moved from the position shown in FIG. 3 to theposition shown in FIG. 4 by lifting the bottom of the panel 18 up and tothe rear of the trailer. The panel 18 is moved fore or aft, as needed,to position the base of the panel 18 proximate to the strap 38 having ahook 40. The hook 40 is secured to the base 42 of panel 18, preferablyby attachment to a cooperating receptacle. The strap 38 is pulleddownward to raise the base 42 of the panel to the ceiling of thetrailer. The chains 30 can be attached to the base 18 of the panel tosafeguard against unintended release of the panel 18 from the stowedposition.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the assemblies may be advantageouslymodified to provide additional or different functionalities. The trolleyassembly 32, 34, 36 can optionally be replaced with any known mountingmechanism that cooperates with the rails. The mounting means maycomprise a post or flange integrally molded into the panel 18 andadapted to be received into the rails 22. As further examples, themounting means may include i) a flat slidable member that engages aninterior surface of the rail member and is hingedly attached to thebulkhead, ii) an integral, one piece, arcuate tab attached to the top ofthe bulkhead that can be inserted into one of a plurality oflongitudinally arranged receiving means at a predetermined angle suchthat the tab locks the bulkhead into place as the bulkhead is loweredinto a vertical position, iii) a hinge member that releasably locks intoone of a plurality of longitudinally disposed receiving means, or iv)any other known mounting mechanism suitable for such mechanicalattachment. Likewise, rails 22, 23 can be replaced with other mechanismsthat cooperate with the selected mounting mechanism. For example, therails 22, 23 may be replaced with a continuous rail having a pluralityof axially disposed apertures for receiving cooperatively configuredmounting means or a series of independently mounted receiving membersfor receiving cooperatively configured mounting means. As noted above,the rail members can optionally be mounted on a vertical surface, suchas a trailer wall. Mounting members can thus be selected to enable thebulkheads to swing open like a door, slide in the axial direction inwhich the rail members are mounted, or be readily removed andreinstalled in another set of receiving members. The foregoingmodifications are illustrative only and are not intended to comprise acomprehensive list of all modifications that can be made to the instantapparatus without departing from the invention.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the strap 38 and cooperating lockingmechanism shown in FIG. 4. The strap 38 is positioned over guide pins44, 46. Flange 48 is rigidly attached to cam 50. In use, the leftportion 52 of the strap 38 is attached to the base 42 of the panel 18either directly or through a suitable cooperating attachment means suchas a hook and a mateable receptacle. The right portion 54 of the strap38 is pulled downward until the panel 18 is in the desired stowageposition. Then the flange 48 is forced upward by action of a spring (notshown), thereby forcing cam 50 against strap 38 and locking the strap inplace. To lower the bulkhead 18, the right portion 54 of the strap 38 ispulled downward, which in turn forces flange 48 downward to thedepicted, open position. The strap is then free to travel over guidepins 44, 46 as long as the right portion of the strap is maintained inthe depicted, vertical position in substantial tension, which holdsflange 48 in the open position. When the end of the strap portion 54 israised upwards and to the rear of the trailer, spring force causes theflange and cam assembly to rotate counterclockwise, causing the cam 50to lock the strap 50 in place. Accordingly, the base 42 of the bulkhead18 is lowered toward the floor of the trailer by holding the strapportion 54 in a vertical position as the strap is pulled over pins 44,46 by the weight of the bulkhead.

[0022] The panels 18 and 20 may be advantageously used without centerpartition panels 16. For instance, the two panels may be placed side byside and fastened together to make a full-width horizontal bulkhead. Auser can advantageously separate the panels, or half-width bulkheads,from one another prior to raising the panels in the manner describedabove. Further, because each panel is independently and slideablymounted, the amount of rearward clearance needed to raise the panel isreduced significantly. The top of the panel can be slid forward as thebottom is raised rearwardly, which permits the panel to be lifted andstowed even when pallets and cargo are stacked close to the panel.

[0023] The panels of the instant invention may be secured relative toone another with a variety of known means. For instance, the panels canbe equipped with cooperating straps and buckles. The panels canalternately be equipped with cooperating channels, grooves, flanges,polymeric seals, or locking pins.

[0024] A number of embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various additionalmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A apparatus for separating cargo areas,comprising: a longitudinal partition extending along at least a portionof a length of a cargo space that is bounded by a plurality of walls anda ceiling; first and second panels, each panel extending in a directiongenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal partition when in anoperative position; a first mounting means attached to the first panel;a second mounting means attached to the second panel; means forreceiving the first mounting means, said first receiving means beingmounted to at least one of a wall or a ceiling of the cargo space andbeing adapted to slidably engage the first mounting means; means forreceiving the second mounting means, said second receiving means beingmounted to at least one of a wall or a ceiling of the cargo space andbeing adapted to slidably engage the second mounting means; whereby thepanels can be moved independently in the longitudinal direction andwhereby the panels, cargo space walls and longitudinal partition definea plurality of cargo areas.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidmounting means serve to hingedly and slideably attach the panels to thereceiving means.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said mountingmeans include a trolley assembly.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe receiving means comprise a plurality of rails.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein rails are adapted to receive a trolley.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lifting means to raise thepanels into an inoperative position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the lifting means comprises a locking cam and a pulling meansand wherein the cam can be released by applying tensile force to thepulling means.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panels includemeans for securing panels in place relative to the cargo space walls andthe longitudinal partition.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinreceiving means are attached to a vertical wall of the cargo space andthe panels serve as vertically hinged doors.
 10. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the mounting means comprise members integrally molded intothe panels and adapted to be slidably engaged by the receiving means.11. A apparatus for separating cargo areas in a refrigerated trailer,comprising: first and second panels, each panel extending in a directiongenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trailer; a firstmounting mechanism adapted to hingedly and slideably engage the firstpanel such that the first panel can be rotated about a lateral axis andslid in a longitudinal direction, at least a part of said first mountingmechanism being fixedly attached to at least one of a wall or a ceilingof the cargo space; and a second mounting mechanism adapted to hingedlyand slideably engage the second panel such that the second panel can berotated about a lateral axis and slid in a longitudinal direction, atleast a part of said first mounting mechanism being fixedly attached toat least one of a wall or a ceiling of the cargo space; whereby thepanels can be moved independently in the longitudinal direction andwhereby the panels and trailer walls define a plurality of cargo areas.12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said mounting mechanisms includea trolley and rail.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mountingmechanisms each include a plurality of rails.
 14. The apparatus of claim11, further comprising a lifting mechanism to raise the panels into astowed position, said lifting mechanism including a locking cam and atleast one of a strap or a rope, wherein the cam can be released byapplying tensile force to the strap or rope.
 15. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the panels include straps for securing panels in placerelative to the cargo space walls.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein mounting mechanisms are attached to vertical walls of the cargospace and the panels serve as vertically hinged doors.
 17. The apparatusof claim 11, wherein the mounting mechanisms include members integrallymolded into the panels and adapted to be sidably engaged by cooperatingcomponents of the mounting mechanisms.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the panels include a mechanism for rigidly fastening the panelsto one another.